Rolling ball game device



GrH. WISENER ROLLING BALL GAME DEVICE Dec. 3, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed May 16, 1956 Ad /Z 4 1957 a H WISENER 2,815,213

ROLLING BALL GAME DEVICE I Filed May 16, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 G. H.WISENER ROLLING BALL GAME DEVICE De z. 3 1957 Filed m l6w-1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. I I G'uf/wze h. WISGIVOI" Wm Mm Patented Dec. 3,1957 ice ROLLING BALL GAME DEVICE Guthrie H. Wisener, Richmond, find.

Application May 16, 1956, Serial No. 585,219

Claims. (Cl. 273-118) This invention relates to a rolling ball gamedevice.

This is a continuation-in-part application of my copending applicationS. N. 363,559, filed June 23, 1953, for Rolling Ball Game Device, nowabandoned.

The invention is more particularly concerned with a rolling ball gamewhich is similar to the well known baseball game in that in both games,a ball is put into motion by one player to be struck by another player,and in both games the score is dependent upon the success in thestriking of the moving ball.

The present invention, however, differs in several respects from thebaseball game. Thus in a baseball game, a pitcher puts a ball intomotion to be struck by a batter, to roll across a generally horizontalplaying field, while a second contending player rolls a similar ballacross the playing field in a direction substantially at right angles tothat of the movement of the first ball, in an effort to cause impact ofthe balls.

The present game is, however, similar to a baseball game in the scoring,in that every miss is an out, while every hit counts as a run.

The present game is further similar to a baseball game in that thetarget ball may be rolled with variable skill and the greater the skillexercised in rolling the ball, the greater is the difficulty experiencedby the player who rolls a ball in an effort to hit the rolling targetball and thereby score a run.

Furthermore, considerable skill may be exercised by the player who rollsthe missile ball in his ability to gauge the speed of the target ball,as well as its points of advance across the playing field.

While in the present game, only two players are involved at any onetime, several players may be organized into teams, as in baseball, andthe different persons on each team may take his turn with either thetarget or missile ball. Three misses would, of course, be three outs andthe team delivering the missile ball would then exchange positions withthe team delivering the target ball.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide a rolling ball gamedevice in the form of a structure embodying a base and opposite sidewalls and one end wall and wherein the base provides a relatively wideplaying field, and wherein one of the side walls is provided with meansfor rolling a target ball across the field, and the end of the baseopposed to said one end wall providing for rolling a missile ball acrossthe playing field, in a path in intersecting relation to that of thetarget ball.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rolling ball gamedevice of the character immediately above referred to wherein aninclined trough is provided around the margin of the base for receivingand returning both the target and missile balls to the playing end ofthe field.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent inthe course of the following detailed description, taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of the game device in accordance with asatisfactory structural embodiment thereof;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view as observed in the plane of line2-2 on Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmental elevational view of the playing end of the deviceon a substantially enlarged scale and showing means for variable speeddelivery of the target ball;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view as observed in theplanes of the irregular line 4-4 on Fig. 3

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view, similar to Fig. 1, showing amodified form of my invention including a hinged chute;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top View, of a portion of Fig. 5, showing thehinged arrangement;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line7-7 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line88 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of a suitable lever means to operate thehinged chute and,

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of another modification of myinvention having a flexible chute.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the device is designated in itsentirety at 10 and which generally comprises a horizontal base 11,opposite side walls 12 and one end wall 13.

At this point, it is to be observed that the structure may be of anydesirable dimensions, and may range from an outdoor model ofapproximately 20 feet wide to 30 feet long to a relatively small sizeindoor table model.

In the playing of the game, both players are positioned at the end ofthe structure opposite the one end wall 13. The player who plays thetarget ball will be positioned at the free end of one side wall 12 whilethe one who plays the missile ball will be positioned at the free end ofthe base 11.

The target ball 2 may be delivered under manual effort only or may bedelivered under the action of variable components of the force ofgravity.

For either purpose, one side wall 12 is provided with a channel 14 whichopens through the free end as well as the upper edge thereof for theinitial propulsion of the target ball. The channel 14 extends in a linefor a substantial portion of the length of the side wall and then isdeflected as at 15 to a channeled inclined runway or chute 16 whose freeend is disposed slightly above the playing surface of base 11, asindicated in Figs. 1 and 2.

With this arrangement the player delivering the target ball t willmanually propel same forward under variable momentum in the channel 14and which will engage the playing surface and through its inherentmomentum travel across the surface to the opposite side wall 12. It isat this point that the skill of the missile ball player is at test sinceit is his part in the play to manually discharge a missile ball in alongthe playing surface in a path intersecting that of the target ball t asis indicated in Fig. 1. If ball m hits ball t the player of the ball mis scored one run. If on the other hand ball in misses ball 2 the playerof the former is scored one out.

In order to reduce to a minimum the expenditure of time in retrievingboth the target and missile balls t and m the structure is provided witha trough 17 which extends throughout the lengths of the two side walls12 and the one end wall 13 and at the bases thereof.

The trough 17 has a bottom wall which is slightly downwardly inclinedfrom the mid point 18 adjacent the end wall 13 to the forward end wherethe lowest point is at 19 or at about the posiiton of the missile ballplayer. With the trough as described, both balls t and m will enter sameat one or the other sides of the high point 18 and will automaticallyroll to the low point 19 at the playing end of the structure.

In order to deflect the balls into the trough 17 the side and end walls12 and 13 are undercut in inclined relation to the base 11 as indicatedat and in order to cushion the impact of the balls a strip of rubber orother cushion material 21 is suitably secured to the surfaces of theinclined walls 20.

In order to provide a more variable range of delivery of the targetballs t the invention includes a means as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 wherebythe balls are delivered under variable components of the force ofgravity thereby more effectively testing the skill of the missile ballplayer.

As indicated in these figures the channel 14 is provided with a fixedbase track section 22 whose rear end extends to the deflecting curve 15in the channel. Pivotally connested to the forward end of the fixedsection .22 as at 23 is the rear end of an adjustable track section 24which upon being inclined to variable angles as indicated in Fig. 4-will give a corresponding variable impetus to the target ball t whichwill be merely laid on the forward end of the adjustable section by thetarget ball player. Means are provided for varying the angular relationof the track section 24 to the base of channel 1 and such meanspreferably comprises an eccentric 25 supported on a shaft 26 extendingthrough a side wall 12 and spanning an opening 27 therein in which theeccentric is freely movable.

The shaft 26 is provided with a handle 23 by use of which the shaft maybe rotated and the eccentric moved through angular ranges with a maximuminclination of the movable section 24 substantially as indicated in Fig.4.

In order to maintain the eccentric in any desired angular position, abrake is provided and which may comprise a bolt 29 having threadedengagement with a nut 30 suitably fixed to the upper edge of side wall12 and the bolt then extending downwardly through an aperture in the idewall for contact with the shaft 26.

With the adjustable structure described, the target ball player maydeliver the ball under the action of gravity at variable speeds fortaxing the skill of the missile ball player.

It is to be particularly observed that the target ball delivery runwayor chute 16 is disposed well toward the end wall 13 thereby providing arelatively long range between the playing end of the device and thetransverse path of travel of the target ball in order that the missileball player will be able to ascertain the time and impetus of deliveryof his ball.

In the modification shown in Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, the numeral 161)has been added to corresponding numerals describing the previous formand a chute 116 is independently swingably hinged in regard to thechannel 114 but forms a continuation thereof. The deflected portion 115of the channel is cut oft" at 41 and a hinge 42 is placed on the innerwall thereof. the channel 114 is continued on a radius equal to thewidth of the channel to the point 41' and is cut off on a radial linepassing through the longitudinal vertical axis of the hinge 412. Thehinge 42 is mounted on the inner surface of the wall 112 and preferablyextends a distance equal to the height of the chute 116.

The chute 116 has side walls 44 46 which define an inclined channelhaving a bottom The wall 44 is pivoted by the hinge 42 to the wall 112.In the wall 112 beyond the chute 116 there is an arcuate groove 50having the same curvature as the deflected portion 115. The wall 46 iscurved at the upper end of the channel on the same curvature as thegroove 50 in order that the wall 46 may slide therein. The upper end 49of the bottom 48 of the channel in the chute 116 slides under thechannel 114 at the end where the bottom of the channel 114 is tapereddown to an edge 52, note Figs. 6 and 7. The end 54 of the wall 46overlaps the end 48 of the deflected portion 115 of the channel 114 sothat the chute 116 may swing either way from the position shown in Fig.5. These The deflected portion 115 of 4 swinging movements areillustrated by dotted lines 116' and 116" in Fig. 6.

For pivoting the chute 116, a lever 56 is pivoted at 58 on a bracket 60to the inner side of the wall 112 below the chute 116. The lever 56passes through a slot 62 in the wall 112 and is pivoted at 64 to a link66. The link 66 passes through an opening 70 in a bracket 68 mounted onthe outer side of the wall 112 and is pivoted at 72 to a hand lever 74which is pivoted at 76 on a bracket 78 mounted on the outer side of thewall 112. The hand lever '74 is located near the players position at theend of the wall 112. A pair of springs 80 and 84 are pinned at 82 and86, respectively, on the link 66 and engage the chute when the lever 74is not manipulated. The lever 56 has a slot 88 engaging a pin 90 on thebottom of the chute 116.

The pivoting of the chute 116 further complicates the game by thechanging of the direction of the target ball f as it issues therefrom.

In Fig. 10 I have shown a further modification of my invention. In thimodification has been added to numerals previously used. A flexiblechute 216, of any suitable elastomeric material, is shown as anextension of the channel 214. The chute 214 is fastened in any suitablemanner to the end of the deflected portion 215 of the channel 214. Thedeflected positions of the chute 124 are shown as 216' and 216". Atarget ball 1 is shown issuing in the direction of the arrow A and as fand t" it is shown by arrows A and A as issuing from the deflectedpositions.

The chute 216 is provided with pivoting means identical with thatdescribed above and the operating handle 174 is shown at the left inFig. 10. The function of the movable flexible chute 216 is the same asthat of the pivoted chute 116.

While the device disclosed is relatively simple in construction and therules of play are simple and capable of being played without rehearsal,the game is nevertheless very amusing and a high score is dependent uponthe skill of the players.

I claim:

1. A rolling ball game device including a base having a smoothsubstantially unobstructed playing surface, opposite side walls, an endwall, the end of said structure opposite said end wall being openproviding for the rolling of a missile ball from a plurality ofpositions across the playing surface, and guide means on one of saidside walls for directing a target ball to roll across said playingsurface in a path intersecting that of a missile ball, said guide meansincluding a channel in the upper edge of said one side wall, saidchannel extending from the free end of said side wall to a laterallycurved ball deflecting portion adjacent said end wall, and a downwardlyinclined channeled runway extending from said curved deflecting portionto the base, said channel including a hinged section for varying theroll of a target ball and said runway being pivotally secured to saidone side wall for varying the direction of roll of a target ball.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein said hinged section of saidchannel comprises a vertically adjustable ball engageable track sectionhaving one end thereof spaced from the free end of said side wall andpivotally supported thereon, said track section being supported adjacentthe opposite end thereof on an adjustable eccentric for varying theinitial momentum of a target ball.

3. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein a hinge structure pivotallysecures said runway to said one side wall.

4. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein said runway is flexible andformed of an elastomeric material.

5. A rolling ball game device comprising a generally rectangularstructure including a base having a smooth substantially unobstructedhorizontal playing surface, opposite side walls, and one end wall, theend of said structure opposite said end wall being open providing forthe rolling of a missile ball from a plurality of positions across theplaying surface toward said end wall, and guide means on one of saidside walls for directing a target ball to roll across said playingsurface in a path intersecting that of a missile ball, said guide meansincluding a hinged section for varying the roll of a target ball.

6. The structure according to claim 5, together with a trough extendingabout said playing surface adjacent the bottoms of said side walls andend wall, the bottom Wall of said trough being inclined downwardly froma point intermediate the length of said end wall to a pointsubstantially centrally of said playing surface at the front end thereoffor collecting balls played and returning same to playing position atsaid last point.

7. The structure according to claim 6 wherein the outer wall of saidtrough includes a portion inclined downwardly and laterally outwardlyfor directing balls played into the trough.

8. The structure according to claim 7 together with a ball cushioningstrip on said inclined wall portion.

9. The structure according to claim 5, wherein said guide means furthercomprises a channel in the upper edge of said one side wall, saidchannel extending from the free end of said side wall to a laterallycurved ball deflecting portion adjacent said end wall, and a downwardlyinclined channeled runway extending from said curved deflecting portionto a point above said base and adjacent said side wall.

10. The structure according to claim 5, wherein said hinged section ofthe guide means comprises a vertically adjustable ball engageable tracksection having one end thereof spaced from the free end of said sidewall and pivotally supported thereon, said track section being supportedadjacent the opposite end thereof on an adjustable eccentric for varyingthe initial momentum of a target ball.

11. The structure according to claim 10, wherein said eccentric is rigidwith a shaft extending through said side wall, said shaft having aneccentric adjusting handle on one end thereof for rotating said shaftand said eccentric to position said track section in a desired position.

12. The structure according to claim 11, together with manuallyadjustable brake means supported on said side wall and engageable withsaid shaft for retaining the eccentric in any predetermined adjustedposition.

13. The structure set forth in claim 9, together with pivot meanspivotally securing said runway to said one side wall to vary thedirection of roll of a target ball.

14. The structure set forth in claim 13, wherein said pivot meanscomprises a hinge.

15. The structure set forth in claim 13, wherein said runway is flexibleand formed of an elastomeric material and said pivot means is theelastomeric material which forms the runway.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS165,154 Butler July 6, 1875 FOREIGN PATENTS 16,398 Great Britain 1891789,482 France Aug. 19, 1935

